Deshka king restrictions eased

PALMER — The Palmer office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Sport Fish Division issued an emergency that allows the use of multiple hooks, both treble hooks and two hooks, and bait while fishing for king salmon on the Deshka River. The changes went into effect Saturday at 6 a.m.

According to the news release, the Sustainable Escapement Goal on the Deshka River is 13,000 to 28,000 king salmon. Through 9 a.m., June 13, cumulative king salmon passage through the weir located at river Mile 7 was 10,016 fish. On average, approximately 25 percent of the spawning escapement has passed the weir by this date, but there are indications that run timing may be earlier than average, the release stated.

“Although a below average run is still expected, early run time models indicate the goal will be achieved after incorporating an expected 3,000 fish harvest resulting from this action (relaxing restrictions on hooks and bait). Therefore, it is warranted to rescind the gear restrictions placed previously on the Deshka,” according to officials in the release.

According to the release, the following restrictions which will remain in effect:

• Annual limit of two (2) king salmon 20 inches or longer. The total annual limit of king salmon 20 inches or longer taken from fresh waters of Cook Inlet remains at five (5), but no more than two may be taken in combination from the Susitna River drainage (including Deshka River) and Little Susitna River.

• Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is allowed, excluding the Deshka River. Single-hook means a fish hook with only one point. Treble hooks and more than one single-hook are prohibited.”

• Upon harvesting a king salmon over 20 inches in length, a person may not fish for any species of fish on the same day in flowing waters open to king salmon in the Susitna River drainage and the Knik Arm drainages.

• Harvest is allowed on the Deshka River (Unit 1), and on specific days within the Yentna River drainage (Unit 4), except for the Talachulitna River. Harvest within Unit 4 is restricted to Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays only; catch-and-release fishing is allowed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Harvest is allowed on the Deshka River seven days per week.

• King salmon harvest (of any size) is prohibited within Unit 1 (except on Deshka River), on the Parks Highway streams within Unit 2, the upper Susitna (Unit 3), Talachulitna River (Unit 4), Talkeetna River (Unit 5), and Chulitna River (Unit 6). Catch-and-release fishing will be allowed during days and times normally open to king salmon fishing within these management units. King salmon may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. In the waters of Unit 2 open to catch-and-release fishing for king salmon, fishing for trout and other species will not be affected by these emergency regulations for king salmon and will continue as written in current regulation.

These restrictions are aimed at reducing harvest by as much as 70 percent across the Susitna Drainage and remain in place to conserve areas of the Susitna Drainage that may not be able to sustain harvest. Below average runs during previous years, past performance of fisheries within the Susitna River drainage under previous years’ management strategies and uncertainty over how this year’s return may continue to develop justify leaving these restrictions in place.

Those with any questions about the Deshka River changes made to the preseason restrictions issued this past spring, call the Palmer ADF&G office at 746-6300 and ask to speak with a Sport Fish Division biologist.